Non-standard loans are important because those who need them most are often those who do not meet the rigorous criteria for available channels for financial services. To make matters worse, the people who cannot rely on the standardized banking system are susceptible to the exploitation of ill-willed investors.

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A lot of Thai people, when in dire situations and without the capacity to rely on the legal banking systems, will likely turn to loan sharks. These loans usually require the borrowers to sign extremely disadvantageous contracts where the interest rates can go as high as 50% and the borrowers will need to hand over their title deeds as collateral for their requested loans.

The government has acknowledged that social inequality is to blame for the the country’s loan sharks to prosper, and has answered to both sides by attempting to defuse the situation for both parties. In the first wave of relief, the government has returned 780 title deeds totalling 3,700 rai (1463 acres), to their rightful owners with an aggregate value of more than 1,800,000,000 Baht.

The Provincial Police Training Center Region 3 also organized a ceremony in Nakhon Ratchasima province, returning 907 title deeds totalling 3,000 rai (1,186 acres) and 50 vehicles to 919 victims, with an aggregate value of 900,000,000 baht.

Authorities in Phitsanulok province also organized a similar event for over 200 loan shark victims from 9 provinces, returning assets that were used as collateral with a total value of 60,000,000 baht.